Scotland international back-row Ben Muncaster will return to the capital starting XV for tomorrow night’s BKT URC match against Hollywoodbets Sharks at Hive Stadium (18 April, kick-off 7.35pm) – live on Premier Sports.
The versatile back-row featured from the bench in last week’s European Quarter-Final win against Vodacom Bulls and will start at openside flanker for his side’s return to league action, with Hamish Watson rested.
Muncaster is one of five changes made by Head Coach Sean Everitt.
Props Pierre Schoeman and D’arcy Rae start in place of Boan Venter and Javan Sebastian (concussion), while Scotland internationals Ali Price and Harry Paterson featuring in the backs, with Ben Vellacott (foot) injured and Darcy Graham rested.
Everitt said: “Tomorrow night is another exciting opportunity for this team, in part three of the ‘Biltong series’! [The third South African opponent in as many weeks]. The Lions and Bulls were stern tests and we know tomorrow night will be no different.
“We know they will have 12 springboks in their starting line up and a few on the bench, so we know the challenge they will bring. We will have to will front up as we have in the previous two successful weeks.”
Paterson starts in the back-three alongside the returning Ross McCann and fullback Wes Goosen.
In the midfield, inside-centre James Lang partners Matt Currie for the fourth game in a row, while Price joins stand-off Ross Thompson in the halves.
Schoeman and Rae come into the front row at loosehead and tighthead respectively, alongside Ewan Ashman at hooker, with Sam Skinner and captain Grant Gilchrist once again named at lock.
Openside Muncaster joins a back-row of Jamie Ritchie (blindside) and Magnus Bradbury (number eight), the latter of whom picked up the Player of the Match award last time out.
Edinburgh Rugby team to face Hollywoodbets Sharks at Hive Stadium in the BKT United Rugby Championship – Friday 18 April (kick-off 7.35pm) – live on Premier Sports.
15. Wes Goosen (51)
14. Harry Paterson (12)
13. Matt Currie (58)
12. James Lang (70)
11. Ross McCann (12)
10. Ross Thompson (20)
9. Ali Price (35)
1. Pierre Schoeman (129)
2. Ewan Ashman (33)
3. D’arcy Rae (21)
4. Sam Skinner (38)
5. Grant Gilchrist (217) CAPTAIN
6. Jamie Ritchie (127)
7. Ben Muncaster (42)
8. Magnus Bradbury (128)
Replacements
16. Dave Cherry (104)
17. Boan Venter (86)
18. Angus Williams (27)
19. Glen Young (46)
20. Freddy Douglas (5)
21. Charlie Shiel (69)
22. Cammy Scott (17)
23. Mosese Tuipulotu (17)
Unavailable: Mark Bennett (quad), Emiliano Boffellli (hamstring), Connor Boyle (knee), Robert Carmichael (wrist), Luke Crosbie (pec), Tom Dodd (shoulder), Darcy Graham (rest), Jamie Hodgson (tricep), Paul Hill (back), Javan Sebastian (concussion), Matt Scott (neck), Marshall Sykes (foot), Duhan van der Merwe (ankle), Ben Vellacott (foot), Hamish Watson (rest), Lewis Wells (ankle).
Fennel Dove
All four innings of a test on the same day – The 2000 Lord\’s Test between England and West Indies saw all the four innings being played on the same day. This feat was repeated 11 years later in the famous Cape Town Test where South Africa bowled out Australia for 47.
heavenly connection
Sport Trivia: Who was the first person from South Africa to win the Olympic 100m sprint? Answer: Reggie Walker. South African Reggie Walker won the Olympic 100m track event in London in 1908. He set a new Olympic record of 10.8 seconds in his semi final, and equalled it in the final. He was just 19yrs and 128 days old when he won the gold medal. Paul Nash equalled the then world record of 10.0 seconds four times in 1968.